On November 30, 2020, I reported that we had four employees at TWK Dirigo Middle School who tested positive for COVID 19. After meeting with the CDC today, it has been deemed that the middle school was classified as an outbreak. This outbreak may or may not be reported by Dr. Shah and through the media but I wanted you to hear it directly from me. RSU 56 contacted the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Education as soon as we heard of the cases and have been willingly working with them since that time.
On a positive note, the CDC has acknowledged that the middle school is safe for students and staff to re-enter for in-person learning on Monday, December 7, 2020. Busses, vans, classrooms, cafeteria, etc. have been subjected to a repetitive cleaning process and the building and buses are not considered a concern for COVID exposure. RSU 56 will continue to require all staff and students to comply with the expectations outlined in the RSU 56 Return to Classroom Instruction Framework, including but not limited to, wearing masks, remaining socially distanced and frequent hand-washing. We are committed to keeping our schools as safe as possible.
We look forward to the return to in-person instruction at TWKDMS and DHS on Monday, December 7, 2020 and at DES starting tomorrow, Thursday, December 3, 2020.
Sincerely,
Pam Doyen, Superintendent of Schools